College Hoops

Could the NCAA learn some things from looking into Miami’s NIL deals?

Could the NCAA learn some things from looking into Miami’s NIL deals?

Name, image and likeness (NIL) deals have completely revolutionized collegiate athletics, but the NCAA is finally starting to crack down and check in on some of these deals. The intent of NIL is to allow players to earn money off of the brand they have created for themselves, however, it has quickly turned into what appears to be free agency and bidding wars for high school recruits.

This week, Miami Hurricanes’ well-known donor, John Ruiz, has been the subject of NCAA attention for his NIL deals. Ruiz has a net worth well into the billions and is capable of changing the landscape of college sports. According to Sports Illustrated, the NCAA has had staff members “spend at least two days in Miami prying into NIL deals” while interviewing Ruiz and others. Ruiz described the conversation with the NCAA as not so much an investigation, but rather an interview.

So what does this potential NIL crackdown mean for Miami, The University of Alabama and college sports in general?

Ruiz has been very vocal about NIL deals

Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Among 115 athletes that Ruiz has signed, mostly Miami players, they will earn a combined $7 million or slightly more. While there isn’t currently much regulation to NIL deals, it is no secret that schools are using it as a recruiting tool and as a way to sway kids from their current schools. For example, Kansas State standout guard Nijel Pack is headed to Miami on a massive deal. As well as former Pittsburgh wide receiver and Biletnikoff winner, Jordan Addison, was rumored to receive $3 million to join the Trojans.

What this means for the Tide?

Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The potential crackdown on NIL deals would be massive for the Tide because even though Alabama boosters have money, there are a lot of really wealthy donors that have the ability to change the landscape of college sports for other schools. Alabama has reported all NIL deals with the school’s compliance office, and as a school that isn’t doing anything wrong, they have no fear of a crackdown. Texas A&M, which, according to Saban, paid for an entire recruiting class, finished with the greatest recruiting class of all time despite only having one prior top-five finish since the turn of the century. Looking long term, this investigation could make it easier or harder for programs to utilize NIL collectives on the recruiting trail. Either way,…

Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Basketball | Roll Tide Wire…